Mike Hanna: No implementation of recommendations in Middle East

Mike Hanna

Mike Hanna is CNN's Jerusalem Bureau Chief.

Q: Are the recommendations in the Mitchell report being implemented by Palestinian and Israeli leadership?

HANNA: As yet, there is no apparent implementation. The Israeli government has declared what it calls a unilateral cease-fire pledging that its forces will stop offensive actions and only operate in self-defense. But, the Palestinians contend that this is nothing less than a trick. The Palestinians say that the cease-fire does not apply in this case in that it implies that there is an equality between two armies. The Palestinians say that the primary source of the violence is the continued Israeli presence in Palestinian controlled territory. And unless this is addressed, then the violence is likely to continue.

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Q: Sharon and Arafat both received calls from Bush. What do we know about those calls?

HANNA: We know little beyond the fact than the calls did take place and that President Bush spoke to both the Palestinian and Israeli leaders. Later on in the week though, there will be a U.S. delegation expected in the region headed by the new representative of the U.S., Secretary of State Colin Powell. That is expected to be a concerted push to get the leaders to agree on ways in which to implement the Mitchell committee report recommendations.

Q: How do Israeli's respond to the charge that a call for an end to violence is a way to appease the international community?

HANNA: That is a charge made by the Palestinian authority in the wake of Israel's declaration of the unilateral cease-fire. The Palestinians maintain that because Israel has come under increasing pressure, it has launched what Palestinians call a publicity stunt with its declaration of the unilateral cease-fire which Palestinians maintain cannot have any affect on the ground because, they say, this is not the primary cause of the violence.

However, many in the Israeli public believe that Israel has taken an honest action in terms of declaring the cease-fire. Many Israelis believe that the Sharon government has taken the first, and a very important step, in showing their faith in wanting to implement the recommendations of the Mitchell report. But, this is a matter of dispute among Palestinians who still maintain that it is nothing more than a political maneuver to try and lessen the degree of international criticism that Israel has been receiving.

Q: Do you have any final thoughts you would like to share?

HANNA: One of the primary stumbling blocks to ending the violence is the fact that neither side can agree on what the cause of the violence is. Israel is adamant that the violence is rooted in and directed by the Palestinian side and that the Palestinian leaders can end the violence should the wish to. Palestinians maintain that the root of the violence is the Israeli occupation and until this occupation ends then the violence is likely to continue and therefore, it is up to the Israelis to take moves to end the violence. Now while neither side can agree on what is the route cause of the violence, it is very difficult to see how the sides are going to agree on how to end it.